amazing

Penelope Jean

Penelope Jean Britton, 67, a resident of Anacortes since 1984, died on December 30, 2008 at Island Hospital, the result of a malignant brain tumor diagnosed in April 2008. Penny was a Christmas baby born in Portland, OR, and was employed as a teacher in the Communications Department at Western Washington University where earlier this year she won the Ronald Kleinknecht Excellence in Teaching Award. Penny attended Oregon State University, graduated with an undergraduate degree from Western Washington University, and held a Master’s Degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. She was a licensed private pilot and a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain for Sail and Power vessels. Penny was a member of Trinity Anglican Church in Mount Vernon where she moderated the adult forum. She was a life member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, a Volunteer for Skagit Hospice, and a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She was a member of the Seattle and Anacortes Yacht Clubs. Penny loved to travel and took every opportunity which included trips to China, Japan, England, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa and Israel. One trip lasted nearly 2 years during which she lived with her husband on a sailboat and home-schooled her children while visiting ports along the U.S. east coast, the Bahamas, and West Indies. Penelope Jean’s life demonstrated love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, long-suffering and self control. She was a beautiful, thoughtful, gifted and intelligent, woman who let her Lord Jesus direct her paths. People who knew her loved her. Penny was attacked by separate cancers four times. She won three of the fights. She was a strong and steady supporter of groups seeking cancer cures. Penelope Jean is survived by her husband, Dick Britton; 2 sons, Alex and Ben Britton; 2 daughters, Kirsten Young and Bethany Erickson; 5 grandsons, Hunter, Piers, Chance, Eli, and Gavin; 5 granddaughters, Janessa, Chloe, Sloane, Trinity Ruth, and Penny’s namesake, Reese Penelope; sister, Deanna Jenkins; brother, Doug Clayton; many nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; and a wonderful assortment of in-laws. Plans are being made for a memorial service. Donations should be directed towards your favorite cancer cure seeking organization. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.

Penny

Well most sadly for the second time in one year, I (and many others) have had the horrible misfortune to have to say goodbye to an amazing and inspirational professor at Western. Penny Britton was by far my favorite professor during my time at Western. She was kind, unflinchingly funny, caring and inspirational. Penny battled breast cancer three times. She beat it three times. My senior year during my spring quarter while working closely with her, it was found out that she had a brain tumor. When it was removed it was found to be the size of a fist. When she returned from time away she was incredibly upbeat and healthy. When I saw her in the office she screamed, "ahhh Diana! I missed you! Wanna see my scar, it's awesome." I love Penny. Her classes not only taught me so much about Communication, but taught me about my peers, myself and my relationships. I can't imagine the Comm department without the amazing energy and light of Penny Britton. My heart and thoughts go out to her husband and family who she adored and spoke of lovingly and often during class. She's an amazing woman and will not be soon forgotten.